WEST VIRGINIA CODE

WVC 15 - 2 - 25
§15-2-25. Rules generally; carrying of weapons upon retirement or
medical discharge.
Subject to the written approval of the governor and the
provisions of this article, the superintendent may make and
promulgate proper rules for the government, discipline and control
of the West Virginia state police and shall also cause to be
established proper rules for the examinations of all applicants for
appointment thereto. The members of the West Virginia state police
shall be permitted to carry arms and weapons and no license may be
required for the privilege.

Upon retirement or medical discharge from the West Virginia
state police and with the written consent of the superintendent,
any retired or medically discharged member may carry a handgun for
the life of the member following retirement or medical discharge
notwithstanding the provisions of article seven, chapter sixty-one
of this code: Provided, That the superintendent's written letter
of consent to carry a handgun may not last for more than five years
at a time and a retired or medically discharged member who wishes
to continue to carry a handgun beyond five years of the date of his
or her initial retirement or medical discharge must request and
obtain a renewal of the superintendent's written permission to
carry a handgun at least once every five years. A retired or
medically discharged member desiring to carry a handgun after
retirement or medical discharge must provide his or her own
handgun. Upon request, each member shall be presented with a letter of authorization signed by the superintendent authorizing
the retired or medically discharged member to carry a handgun. The
written authorization shall be carried by the retired or medically
discharged member at all times that he or she has a handgun on his
or her person. The superintendent may not issue a letter of
authorization to any retired or medically discharged member who is
no longer employed by the state police due to a mental disability
or who the superintendent has reason to believe is mentally
incapacitated to the extent it would present a threat of physical
harm to one or more persons for the member to carry a concealed
weapon. The superintendent may revoke the authority at any time
without cause and without recourse. Conviction of the retired or
medically discharged member for the commission of any felony or for
a misdemeanor involving the improper or illegal use of a firearm
shall cause this authority to terminate immediately without a
hearing or other recourse and without any action on the part of the
superintendent. The superintendent shall promulgate a legislative
rule in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of
this code, which rule shall prescribe requirements necessary for
the issuance and continuance of the authority herein granted.

Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2016 Regular Session
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